A HORSERIDER has thanked courageous Fylde police for galloping to her rescue during a three-and-a-half hour battle to save her horse from swelling tides at St Annes beach.

Jennifer Smalley, 24, from Chorley, was riding her nine-year-old Irish Draught thoroughbred - Abbie - from Blackpool Pleasure Beach to St Annes pier when the animal suddenly bolted throwing her to the ground in July.

Jennifer, an experienced rider, could only chase after her in horror as Abbie ran more than two miles towards the sea.

After running more than three miles back to the promenade, Jennifer managed to get hold of police at St Annes police station using a passer-by's mobile phone. Officers arrived within five minutes and Jennifer, once again, chased off after Abbie with the help of local officer, PC Steve Higgs.

Members of the Warton-based Lancashire Air Support Police were also called out to the scene.

Eventually Abbie was coaxed out of the freezing water - which had risen to the horse's stomach - the rescue team then faced a frantic race against incoming tides to get to shore safely.

Jennifer was treated for bruised muscles and Abbie for shock.

Jennifer said: "At one point I didn't know if I would ever see Abbie alive again.

"I'm so grateful to the police air support unit, especially to PC Higgs. If they hadn't helped she would have died.

"I would never have stopped looking for her but I don't know if I would ever have found her."

A St Annes police spokesman said: "We were very pleased to be able to assist in reuniting Jennifer with her horse Abbie.

"The task was made a lot easier with the help of our air support unit who swiftly located the horse about a mile out to sea.

"We would advise people riding on the beach to take every possible measure to ensure their safety and if possible ride with a friend.

"Carrying a mobile phone can ensure that that help is at hand as quickly as possible but, at the very least, riders should always let someone know where they are going and their expected time of return."